Obituary of Dori M. Zarr

Dori Marie (Mayfield) Zarr, 85, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026, at Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 13, 1941, Dori approached the world with boundless curiosity, kindness, and a quirky sense of humor that kept her connected to the people and communities she loved. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1965 and briefly took to the skies as a flight attendant before discovering her true calling in education.

Dori devoted her life to teaching, mentoring, and learning. After earning a Master’s Degree in Education from William Paterson College, she spent more than 25 years teaching in the Mendham and Bridgewater school districts in New Jersey, much of that time shaping young minds in the Gifted and Talented (GATE) program. She was a mentor to fellow teachers, a champion of lifelong growth, and someone who believed learning never truly ends.

Among the many lives she touched, Dori remained especially cherished by generations of students whose confidence and curiosity she helped shape. Former students often remembered her not only for what she taught, but for how she encouraged them to find their voice. One former fifth-grade student wrote to Dori decades later to thank her for teaching debate, recalling the confidence she gained speaking in front of others, learning to make a structured argument, and feeling entirely supported as she grew. Moments like these reflected Dori’s lasting gift as an educator: helping others believe in themselves.

After retiring in the mid-2000s, Dori fully embraced the role of lifelong student herself. Having completed an additional 90 graduate units simply for the joy of learning, she met every new interest with enthusiasm. A gifted communicator, Dori worked as a Dale Carnegie instructor and later taught public speaking at Sussex County Community College. She was a passionate member of Toastmasters, active in two clubs in New Jersey and one in Sun City West, Arizona. As a talented humorist, Dori won many speech contests and excelled as a mentor and leader. In 2021, she was recognized as a Distinguished Toastmaster, the highest member achievement awarded by Toastmasters International.

Whether exploring painting, improving her pickleball game, diving into books, or attending Bible study, Dori met every day with optimism. She loved cycling and meaningful conversation, and she especially enjoyed welcoming touring cyclists into her home through the Warm Showers community, offering kindness, encouragement, and genuine interest in their stories. She will be long remembered for her caring heart and the effortless way she made others feel seen and valued.

Dori was preceded in death by her beloved partner, Tom Burke, and her parents, Paul T. Mayfield and Marie A. Mayfield.

She is survived by her sons, Robert Pickell of Holladay, Utah and James Pickell of Newport Beach, California; her sister, Elaine Mayfield Swanson of Pickett, Wisconsin; her brother, Mark Mayfield of Wever, Iowa; and her four beloved grandchildren, Derek Pickell, Samantha Pickell, Byron Pickell, and Madison Pickell.

Services and a celebration of Dori’s life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages acts of kindness in Dori’s memory: welcome someone new, reconnect with an old friend, or do something thoughtful for someone you love.